Les Pentes Sèches VdF 2024

Wine Description for Les Pentes Sèches VdF 2024 by Hunter McKirdy

Character

Hunter McKirdy, a Scottish-born winemaker in Alsace, embodies the new generation of unconventional winemakers shaking up the region. His “Les Pentes Sèches” – the dry slopes – is a radical reinterpretation of Alsatian Pinot Gris. The name is programme: whilst many Pinot Gris wines from Alsace boast opulent fruit and residual sweetness, McKirdy opts for reduction, tension and mineral precision. At 12% alcohol, the wine remains refreshingly light-footed, a deliberate counterpoint to the often heavy, extraction-rich versions typical of the region.

Terroir & Origin

Alsace, wedged between the Vosges and the Rhine, offers a unique microclimate with warm, dry summers and cool nights. The “dry slopes” suggest well-drained, presumably chalky or granitic soils that stress the vines and produce concentrated, mineral wines. McKirdy’s approach as a Vin de France signals a deliberate departure from rigid AOC regulations – a choice for greater oenological freedom and artisanal autonomy.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pinot Gris is traditionally known in Alsace for full-bodied, aromatic wines, often with notes of pear, honey and spice. McKirdy, however, appears to take a different path: the classification as Vin de France and the moderate alcohol content suggest earlier harvesting, spontaneous fermentation and minimal intervention. Fining and filtration are presumably eschewed, lending the wine texture and authenticity. The result is a vibrant, unvarnished Pinot Gris that recalls Burgundy more than classical Alsace.

Food Pairing Suggestions

A versatile companion for modern cuisine: oysters, scallops or raw fish harmonise with the saline minerality. Also an excellent choice with roasted poultry, pork with fennel or aged Comté. Its freshness makes it the ideal aperitif or pairing for fermented vegetables and natural preparations.